Bintan has become one of our favourite destinations to travel with kids. We were pleasantly surprised as this was the first time stepping our foot onto this island which is just less than an hour ferry ride from Singapore.
When it comes to plan for a fuss-free family getaway, Bintan is a popular destination and for good reason. We scouted for affordable family-friendly accommodation and were introduced to Swiss-Belhotel Lagoi Bay. This hotel fitted our requirements exactly and it has all what we wanted. What also makes Swiss-Belhotel Lagoi Bay so special is that the most memorable moments at the hotel come when we least expect them to. We are so motivated to share with everyone.
Here we bring you 10 compelling reasons to make Swiss-Belhotel your next Bintan holiday destination.
1: Location
All we wanted was a short getaway and preferably need not spend too much time travelling especially with kids around. Bintan is a perfect fit. Come 2017, an international airport will help to connect Bintan to international travellers. For now, ferry is the only option. We arrived at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Singapore), hopped onto the Bintan Resort Ferries’ Economy Class, and viola, reached Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal (Bintan) in less than an hour, approx 45mins.
Cartoon shows are aired inside the ferry to keep your little ones and the young at heart occupied.
Before we know it, we arrived at Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal.
Getting to Swiss-Belhotel Lagoi Bay Bintan is a breeze. Complimentary shuttle service is provided from Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal to the hotel. *(Tips, readers shared with us that they booked their stay thru hotel directly, the ferry turn out to be cheaper. Plus hotel staffs will know the timing of your arrival and departure to arrange land transfer.)
Time taken to reach the hotel from ferry terminal? Less than 15 mins 🙂
The 195-rooms 4* Swiss-Belhotel Lagoi Bay Bintan is just opened in May 2015. Huge and contemporary lobby for guests.
2: Choices of Elegant Suites
Swiss-Belhotel Lagoi Bay features 195 guestrooms including Deluxe, Grand Deluxe and Executive Suite in a modern contemporary design. Complimentary Wi-Fi with strong signal is provided throughout.
37sqm elegantly designed Deluxe room with single or twin share beds with rates starting from
Sgd $160.
47sqm Grand Deluxe room comes with a bigger entrance space and upsize of 10 sqm larger than Deluxe room is designed for comfortable stay with rates starting from Sgd $190.
113sqm Luxury Executive Suite is set to give you the ultimate accommodation experience with a spacious bedroom, separate living and dining as well as a luxury bathroom with shower and bathtub with rates starting from Sgd $415.
We stayed at the Executive Suite. Check out our blog post here.
Searching to book Swiss-Belhotel Lagoi Bay, click here!
3: Infinity Pool
Everyone loves the idea of a refreshing dip in the rooftop swimming pool, 1.3m. When it comes to swimming especially in an infinity pool, it’s even more irresistible for Big and Small M. They would indulge themselves all-day long in the waters.
A good size baby pool for your little ones, 0.5m.
Not that we like to brag, Swiss-Belhotel spectacular infinity-edged pool offers a breath-taking views of the Lagoi Bay.
Hotel guests can also lounge by the pool with a refreshing mocktail and appetizing snacks.
4: Games and Entertainment Room
This family-friendly amenity is a big-draw among the hotel guests. Opening from 10am to 10pm daily, it caters to all ages.
Get into the thrills and spills of table football.
Heart pounding. Thrilling. A rush. Enjoy the adrenaline rush and take your Wii games to a whole new level.
Challenge your partner into a game of pool.
If you just want to sit back and relax, try grabbing a jar of popcorns or candy floss(S$4) and hop onto the theatre to catch a movie.
It’s free-sittings for movie-goers.
5: Kids Club
Whether your little ones are too young to indulge in the Games & Entertainment Room or you have other adult activities planned, there’s a Kids Club to keep them entertained.
The Kids Club in Swiss-Belhotel is spacious and child-friendly.
Children can spend the afternoon manoeuvring around the Kids Club and be self-entertained.
A mini-trampoline for the jumpy ones.
Hours of active fun with ball pits for kids.
6: Authentic Indonesian Culinary Class
We know how much food can nourish our soul and tickle our tastebuds. Swiss-Belhotel also organizes activities to engage its guests. We enjoyed ourselves to bits participating in a hands-on cooking class during our stay.
The Hotel Chef teaching the participants the techniques behind making tasty Indonesian snack items.
Our Junior MasterChef in the making. We are mad about desserts. Imagine learning how to pull off that Onde Onde cupcakes, savoury Kueh Lemper and Bubur Terigu we are so fond of!
What better way to whet your appetite than to be taught by the local Chef?
This was our first and definitely not the last thing attending a culinary class.
7: Be a Fisherman
Hey, we went fishing at Lake Lagoi fishing farm! A booking at Swiss-Belhotel entitles you with a complimentary one hour fishing activities per room (1 rod + bait).
Enjoy the beauty of Lake Lagoi while waiting for the harvest.
What can we do with the catch? Swiss-Belhotel chefs can whip up a piping-hot meal in sambal, sweet and sour sauce or soya sauce for a mere SGD $10.
8: Swiss-Cafe
Waking up to a ready made breakfast is one of life’s pleasures. The Swiss-Cafe at Swiss-Belhotel offers a generous spread of International buffet breakfast with live cooking stations to start your day after a comfortable night’s sleep.
Do you love sunny side up?
Freshly-made coffee and fresh juices, together with fruit, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs and many more certainly keeps you coming back for more.
It’s all about making everything from scratch. Enjoy a wide assortment of breads and pastries produced in-house by the hotel.
Swiss-Cafe also serves authentic local food. Highly recommended for the food enthusiasts.
We were hosted by Ms. Sharon Foo, Marcom Director of Swiss-Belhotel, who provided us with superb hospitality throughout our stay. We were blessed beyond words!
9: Chadis Roof Top Bar
When the sun sets, the Chadis Roof Top Bar becomes alive. We had an al-fresco dining experience at the rooftop where we were greeted by a medley of succulent grilled meats, barbequed seafood and piquant cocktails (and mock-tails).
Assortment of delectable pastries, breads, desserts, sauces and many more.
Meat lovers will certainly delight over freshly-grilled meats for them to feast on!
We enjoyed dining at the Chadis Rooftop Bar and felt it’s a perfect spot for hotel guests to dine and chill out, not forgetting to catch a game of Euro 2016 as well 🙂
Located at Swiss-Belhotel Lagoi Bay, Chadis Rooftop Bar opens daily from 4pm – 11pm.
10: Beach
Swiss-Belhotel is just a short stroll to the beachfront. Crystal clear waters, white powdery sand, shading trees, refreshing air and tranquility scenery are the themes in this beach.
We have heard about the white, fine and powdery sand over the beachfront. The doubting Thomas in us just need to see to believe. Big and Small M were obviously impressed and started to play with the sand and scouting for sea-shells!
Time for sea shells collection.
Hey, there’s something over here. Can you spot it?
Of course, our trip to Bintan wouldn’t be complete without a romantic sunset viewing at the beach.
Those mesmerising shades of colors had us transfixed until the last slither of sun sinks below the horizon.
Unbelievable Getaway Packages
Planning for a getaway? Swiss-Belhotel has two packages that are real valued-for-money. Check them out!
What’s more enjoyable and fun than escaping with your bestie to an idyllic island getaway, bond over refreshing mock-tails, relaxing spa treatments and indulge in authentic Indonesian Inspired meals? Get ready and start packing up for an exciting BFF Getaway!
This package is inclusive of:
1 (night) night stay in a Deluxe room at Swiss-belhotel Lagoi Bay, Bintan
Return Ferry Tickets from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to BBT
2 ways land transfer to and fro BBT to hotel
1 x International buffet breakfast at Swiss-Cafe
1 x Mocktail by the infinity pool
1 x Head & Shoulder massage (45min)
1 x Indonesian Dinner
1 x Complimentary Donut Swim Float per room
Complimentary High Speed WIFI Internet access throughout hotel including rooms (unlimited devices)
Complimentary access to Games & Entertainment Centre
Weekday Price : S$165.00
Weekend Price : S$185.00
Above price excludes ferry taxes of $24 per person
Needless to say, we love every single moment and bits of our time in here. As we bade Swiss-Belhotel farewell, we realised this hotel has so much to offer and what we experienced was just the tip of the iceberg. We will be back for more!
For details on inquiries/bookings, please contact Swiss-Belhotel from Monday to Friday (9am to 6pm) at:
Tel. (+65) 6274 9555
Email. ssecsblb@swiss-belhotel.com
If you enjoy reading our travelogue, do give a like on Katong Kids Inc Facebook Fan Page by clicking here.
Disclosure: All photos, information and opinions, unless otherwise stated, in this post belong to Katong Kids Inc. Reproducing or copying them for use on third party sites without our written permission are strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
There are galore of kids’ activities which we can do during the school holidays and it’s not common we can find a place to stretch our exploration for a day or two. It seems we have found that in Legoland Malaysia where our whole family can re-discover the inner child in us and enjoyed ourselves to the max. We would like to share on the top 10 things you can do in Legoland Malaysia and being just within 20km from Tuas Checkpoint there is no excuse you should give it a miss!
#1 – Stay in Legoland Hotel
We reckon you are going to take a day or two to cover all the rides and activities. That being said, how about booking a memorable getaway at Legoland hotel? Featuring 249 LEGO® themed guest rooms that you can choose from: Pirate, Adventure, Kingdom and LEGO® Friends, you are spoilt for choices. Best part of all, you are returning to a comfortable accommodation after exploring the theme park to get a well-deserved rest.
#2 – Technic Twister
LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort is the first of its kind in Asia that offers adventure, education and fun for action-packed day trips or a short break holiday destination. Come along for an unforgettable adventure at LEGOLAND Theme Park, a family holiday destination with over 70 hands-on rides, slides, shows and attractions designed for families with children aged 2-12.
LEGOLAND Theme Park brings you seven themed area of attractions for all ages such as The Beginning, LEGO® Technic, LEGO Kingdoms, Imagination, LEGO City, Land of Adventure and MINILAND. The theme parks is an inspirational land where the children are the heroes! From LEGO experiment centres to rollercoasters, LEGOLAND Theme Park offers a fun-filled day-long voyage of discovery for all families.
We kick off with the Technic Twister. This cup ride is all about spinning and spinning at fast speed. Try if you dare. All within less than a minute where you are sure to be injected to loads of thrills.
Minimum size: 110 cm (Below 120 cm if accompanied by an adult)
We felt it was daunting but not for Big and Small M. Easy peasy for them? They enjoyed it very much!
#3 – Project X
This is not for the faint-hearted. Imagine racing at lightning speed at the beginning and middle oft he ride and eventually leave you taking a huge plunge at high-speed that leaves you breathless!
Minimum size: 110 cm (Below 120 cm if accompanied by an adult)
Big and Small M get their adrenaline rush with Project X and I had to take the ride twice. They clamoured for another round but we had to stop them as there are so many other rides that we have yet to cover.
Experience a “free-fall” moment from as high as 18m with Project X.
#4 – Driving School
Hear us out. This Driving School is red hot, hot and hot! The queue never seem to dwindle. We were just glad that Big and Small M at least got their chance to be a driver for a day. While queuing up, some parents were left disappointed when the theme park was about to close and there, their little ones had to miss this ever popular ride.
Age: 6 – 13 years only
We were among the last batch and were blessed it was just 30 mins wait. Still bearable 🙂
So you aspire to be a real driver someday when you grow up. It’s not going to be easy but it’s not impossible. For a start, every kid will need to attend a driving course where they are shown a video on driving and safety rules.
Going to hit the road? Not so fast. The friendly instructor now takes the kids for a briefing and test their basic understanding of how to operate a car.
Just make sure you remember to step on the correct peddle …
The rest is history. Excitement took over and they had a whale of their time driving around the circuit.
Big M loves it! The reward that comes at the end it is a LEGOLAND® driver’s licence.
#5 – Boating School
We hit the road and how can we miss the waters? At the Boating School, you get to be your own captain and steer a boat. This is an ever-popular ride which is well-loved by all the visitors. Don’t be surprised to join a long queue. How fast the queue clears is determined by how fast these captains steer the boats back to the starting point. We guessed many of us were first-timers and you can expect us bumping into many corners before crawling our way back.
Long queue but thankful for the shelter.
We really hope to go for at least two rounds but time is limited. We just had to make the best out of this. Each boat is equipped with both a gas pedal and a steering wheel, giving the feeling of complete control to whoever is in charge of the boat. The boats themselves are filled with Lego themes – from the primary colors to the raised Lego-stamped circles, it will make you feel as if you are right in one of the scenes from Lego City!
Big M looking professional.
And of course, we had a blast!
#6 – Ninjago: The Ride
What we love about Legoland Malaysia is their continuity to introduce new rides. Slated to be launched at the end of 2016, Ninjago: The Ride enables guests to demonstrate their ninja skills without the use of a hand held device but through the simple use of their hand gestures. Riders can collect points for their training and battle efforts throughout the ride and scores are displayed when their quest is completed.
Photo Credit: The Theme Park InsiderPhoto Credit: InPark Magazine
#7 – LEGO® Wave Pool
LEGOLAND® Water Park can be enjoyed separately or together with the theme park, boasting over 20 slides and water based attractions as well as 70 LEGO® models. The LEGO themed water park also includes unique highlights for more thrills and spills.
Get ready to be tossed by gentle waves and cool off in Lego Wave Pool. This is very suitable for families as the water is shallow and the waves are not strong. If you are looking for a shallow pool just to dip yourself (as an appetizer) before you head to more challenging rides, look no further. There were also hosts who came in at every interval to rally the swimmers to engage in water sports dance and keep ourselves entertained.
Splish splash in the waters 🙂
The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down! Swim, shop and savour the fun at the Wave Pool in the Water Park, which will be opened until 9pm every Friday and Saturday. Look out for exclusive entertainment specials, fun water games, meet your favourite LEGOLAND® characters, building activities and more!
#8 – Build A Boat
Put your imagination and creativity to test and build your dream boat all by using lego bricks.
Simple, safe and fun. Above the fun, it’s the bonding time between the sisters that stands out.
As you can see, the interesting part of this station is the ever-flowing waters. Kids get the thrill when they see their dream boats sailing beautiful down the stream.
May the best boat win!
Build-a-Boat river is 35 feet long
Boat hulls and LEGO bricks are provided for kids to design and build their own boat to race
Interactive launch platform allows boats to race head to head against friends and family
Dam breaks are stationed throughout the river for guests to control and change the flow of the water
#9 – Joker Soaker
We hate to say this. Joker Soaker may take up a big bulk of your time in the water park. Expect kids to be glued to this fun and interactive playground with various lengths, heights and types of slides. Guests can wade in the surrounding pool and be surprised with a torrential spill from a 300-gallon bucket.
Lower-level slide: Guests under 91cm tall are not permitted on this ride. Guests must be 91cm or taller to ride lower-level sildes. Children under 6 years of age must be accompanied by and adult.
Top-level slide: Guests under 102cm tall are not permitted on this ride. Guests under 102cm tall are not permitted on this ride. Guests must be 102cm or taller to ride middle-level slides.
#10 – Creativity Days 2016!
Creativity Days 2016 arrives at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort with a myriad of fun LEGO® activities ignite your creativity, from Build Your Dream World at our large scale building activity to participating in our Junior Model Builder workshop. Guests would have to complete the Activity Trail obtained from the Guest Service Counter at the entrance, and stand to take home a surprise gift! Look out for the creativity show happening at the LEGO Kingdoms, Castle stage daily at 4pm – until the end of June.
F&B Promo – After Dark Special Buffet Dinner
Come feast on a rich selection of mouth-watering Malaysia cuisines, especially the Classic Malay Curry corner as well as delicious International delights. You will be accompanied by colourful LEGO models, at the one-of-a-kind LEGOLAND® Hotel for a night to remember!
Book your “After Dark Special Buffet Dinner” here now and enjoy our special all you can eat buffet at Bricks Family Restaurant @ LEGOLAND®Hotel.
Buffet Date:
6 June 2016 – 5 July 2016
Time:
Starts from 6pm until 10pm
After Dark Special Buffet Dinner
Adult (12 years and above)
RM138
Child/Senior Citizen (3-11 years)/(60 years and above)
RM 78
Enjoy 25% off for all annual pass, premium annual pass
and corporate/family groups(min 20 persons)
Above prices inclusive of 6% GST.
A slew of activities awaits you at Legoland Malaysia. What are you waiting for? Get down to Legoland Malaysia today!
Special thanks to Legoland Malaysia, they are giving 1 winner with a family of 4 combo tickets that entitle you with access to both the water and theme parks:
Share this blog post of the giveaway on Facebook to as many friends, remember to set it to public.
We will be strict and disqualify ALL fake social media accounts (eg. Facebook accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no or very few real friends).
Terms & Conditions:
1. The winner will walk away with a family of 4 Legoland Malaysia Combo tickets, regardless of choice of adult or child.
2. The winner must be agreeable for his/her contact details to be provided to Katong Kids Inc & Legoland Malaysia.
3. Judges’ decision is final. Closing date: 23 June 2016.
Katong has come a long way from its early days when it was filled with coconut plantations. While these plantations have since become a story of the past, Katong has continued to thrive as a vibrant neighbourhood filled with the charm of Peranakan culture. Pre-war shophouses, colonial bungalows, hip cafes, many culinary choices and exciting hotel accommodations are what you can expect to experience in this tourist attraction.
Nestled in the heart of Katong and Joo Chiat district, this 451-room Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong is newly-opened! Built to cater to value-conscious travellers who want affordable accommodation, this hotel offers a perfect respite after a busy day of exploring city.
We arrived at the hotel lobby and were served by the friendly and hospitable staff.
Visitor Information booth.
Spacious indoor area for hotel guests to chill out.
More chill out spots at the outdoors too.
Hotel Rooms
There were 4 of us and our stay was made even more pleasant with the addition of connecting room.
While the rooms are relatively smaller, we were fine with it as each room was filled with the necessities to make our stay a pleasant one.
A great night’s sleep can’t be completed without a comfortable bed. We were pleased that Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong has catered to this need nicely. Our bed was comfortable and there were choices of soft and firm pillows.
Hey, a cute little corner at the side of the bed for you to chill out 🙂
Bathroom
The bathroom was certainly clean and well-maintained. Towels and soap were sufficiently supplied. Guessed our only gripe was that iron was not found in the room.
The shower gave good pressure as well.
A wind down spot – beverage making.
It was a lovely touch by the hotel to introduce Smart TV in the rooms. While the hotel may not have a swimming pool, we were well-entertained by their Smart TV and the attractions in the vicinity.
Amenities and Facilities
Hotel Inn Express Singapore Katong offers no-frills amenities and facilities for its hotel guests. They include a fitness centre, self-service business centre, a meeting room, a laundry room, free and fast Wi-Fi, Free Express Start Breakfast or a Grab & Go option.
Self Service Business Centre with iMac desktop stations for guests to use.
If you have little cravings, the hotel also offers Grab & Go option.
Free Breakfast
Good morning, let’s head to the Great Room for our free Express Start breakfast. The selection of breakfast includes carrot cake, baked beans, sausages, scrambled egg, pastries as such.
We were particularly fascinated by this beverage machine. Very cute!
Nearby Attractions
Nothing beats staying in a hotel that offers strategic convenience for everyone. Let’s take a look at what’s in store in this great location:
Take a dip in the waters and explore East Coast Park. You can read our blog on 10 kids friendly activities at Big Splash here.
Embark on an adventure in Marine Parade with heritage trail. Read our blog on exploring the Joo Chiat / Katong famous architectural attractions here.
In mood for shopping? Do you know there are no lack of shopping centres in Katong. Read our blog on 12 shopping centres that shape Katong here.
Parkway Parade Shopping CentreI12 Shopping Centre. Located next to Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong.
Feeling hungry? Too many dining spots to recommend in Katong. Read our blog on a highly-recommended cafe by the name of Streets ofLondon located at Katong Point which you might want to try out here.
Many Attractions, A Great Place to Stay
Styled with understated elegance, cosiness and affordability, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong is here to offer you a totally fulfilling experience.
If we enjoyed our stay here, so will you!
Congratulations to InterContinental Hotels Group on the opening of this 451-room Holiday Inn Express in Katong!
Address: 88 East Coast Road, Katong, Singapore 423371
To book Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong, click here.
Get connected to InterContinental Hotels Group Facebook here.
Get connected to Holiday Inn Express Facebook here.
Get connected to Holiday Inn Express Instagram here.
If you enjoy reading our travelogue, do give a like on Katong Kids Inc Facebook Fan Page by clicking here.
Disclosure: All photos, information and opinions, unless otherwise stated, in this post belong to Katong Kids Inc. Reproducing or copying them for use on third party sites without our written permission are strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
Strategic location in the theme park zone is definitely among the factors to let down your hair and fully enjoy the atmosphere of luxury accommodation at Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour, an upscale hotel which lends a touch of modern, minimalist settings. This is the first time for us having a staycation in this elegant hotel. We truly enjoyed every single moment here and here are the 5 reasons why Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour should be your preferred choice of stay:
Reason 1: Contemporary & Refreshing
Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour is formerly known as Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour.This re-branding is to cater to a new “Jeneration” of independently minded business and leisure travellers. We arrived at the hotel and went straight to check in. The process was seamless and hotel staff was all smiles and served us well. We received our room key but we wanted to explore the lobby first.
A nice touch by the hotel to offer complimentary fruit-infused waters. The kids were fascinated when colours and juices come together. They kept helping themselves to the complimentary juices.
The hotel understands the importance of staying connected. Hotel guests can expect to receive free WiFi everywhere and we are honest to say the signal is really strong! iMac desktop stations are placed at the lobby for guests to use.
It is a plus to findconvenient mobile charging stations at various points such as the the lobby, harbour cafe, gym and the Sky Bar for guests to charge their mobiles.
Reason 2: Rooms Are Spacious and New
Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour has 283 guestrooms with a choice of eight room types ranging from a 33sqm Deluxe Room to the 96sqm Speciality Suite. We stayed in the 33 sqm Deluxe Room and were contented that it was spacious and everything looked new.
We were surprised that the hotel did not place any tissue box in the room for guests to use.
Nothing thrills the kids more than having a TV and indulged in Disney channel.
We were upgraded to a Deluxe room with harbour view and we loved it!
We received a pleasant surprised from the hotel.
The kids are very fond of bath tubs and they were disappointed not to find one in our room.
Reason 3: Infinity Pool & Sky Bar
One of the higlights of our stay is the infinity pool. The kids had heard about it and can’t wait to take the plunge into the pool.
Swimming pool will certainly strike a chord with hotel guests. What’s more when there is an infinity pool? We spent a whole 2 hours soaking in the waters.
Feeling hungry after swimming? Take a little bite with orders from the Sky Bar.
Reason 4: Sumptuous Breakfast
We had breakfast buffet spread at the Harbour Cafe.
The buffet spread was sumptuous. Our appetite was huge but too bad, we could only eat that much as we were really full by then.
Our favourite egg station.
Muffins, waffles, pancakes, breads, donuts and various types of pastries spread to choose from.
Nasi Lemak but no chicken wings.
Curry laksa.
Reason 5: Nearby Entertainment
Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour provides free shuttle service to and fro for hotel guests to Legoland Malaysia. You can read our previous blogs on Legoland Malaysia Water Park here and Theme Park here.
Sanrio Hello Kitty Town is just 1 min walk from Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour.
Restaurants around the vicinity.
If you are feeling adventurous, try exploring nearby Gelang Patah, well-known for its nice local food.
Read our blog on Star Chef Seafood Restaurant here.
And our blog on Chua Kee Seafood Gelang Patah Johor 蔡記海鲜 here.
Thinking of a hotel to stay? Come to Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour!
Address: Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, 79000 Nusajaya, Johor Darul Takzim, 79000, Malaysia
If you enjoy reading our travelogue, do give a like on Katong Kids Inc Facebook Fan Page by clicking here.
Disclosure: All photos, information and opinions, unless otherwise stated, in this post belong to Katong Kids Inc. Reproducing or copying them for use on third party sites without our written permission are strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
Let’s talk about food. This topic can arouse the attention of happy food-goers who are willing to travel miles just to taste some of the best local food. We blogged on Star Chef Seafood Restaurant at Gelang Patah previously and after that dining experience, we were hungry for more.
Chua Kee Seafood Gelang Patah Johor 蔡記海鲜
Nestled at Jalan Nusaria 3, Taman Nusantara, 81550 Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia is where you can find popular Chua Kee Seafood Gelang Patah Johor 蔡記海鲜.
A quick google check shows the distance of Restoran Chua Kee to Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour is just 11km or 15 min drive.
We were there during lunch time and the sun was scorching hot. There are ceiling fans and we were just glad to find seats around that area.
As you can see, Chua Kee Seafood Gelang Patah Johor 蔡記海鲜 is a restoran selling the usual “zi-char” dishes. The setting is definitely not contemporary but there must be something about their dishes that draw crowds of customers.
What We Ordered
This was what we ordered.
Sin Chew Bee Hoon – RM $9
Fried Rice – RM $8
Mix Vegetables – RM $8
Handmade 3 Slices Assorted Vegetables – RM $12
Dry Fried Prawns – RM $30
Fo-Yong Egg – RM $6
Sambal Kangkong – RM $8
Claypot Porkbelly & Salted Fish – RM $12
A heart-warming 8 course lunch 🙂
Our total bill adds up to RM $101.55 (SGD $35). We thought the price was pretty decent and we had a hearty meal. Guessed we will revisit Gelang Patah again to go for more food discovery.
Durian for Thought
We were in for a treat as durian season is here again. Just across Chua Kee Seafood was a durian stall.
Are you a durian lover? It packed a different feel if you get the chance to try durians in Malaysia. The stall owner grew these durians by himself and called them as “kampung” durians.
3kg for RM $60
Small M, obviously is not a fan for durian …
Although it was not fantastic, these kampung durians come with many seeds and full of flesh 🙂
It was nice that Chua Kee allowed us to eat the durians here provided we cleared them after eating.
Restaurant name: Restoran Chua Kee 蔡記海鲜 Address: No 1 Jalan Kacang Panjang, Gelang Patah 81550, Johor Bahru, Malaysia GPS: 1.447108, 103.586133 / 1°26’49.6″N 103°35’10.1″E Tel: +60 7 510 3198 | Mr Chua +60 12 761 0529 | Lily +60 12 762 8255 Hours: 11:30am to 11:00pm (closed on alternate Weds)
If you enjoy reading our travelogue, do give a like on Katong Kids Inc Facebook Fan Page by clicking here.
Disclosure: All photos, information and opinions, unless otherwise stated, in this post belong to Katong Kids Inc. Reproducing or copying them for use on third party sites without our written permission are strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
We were asked about our Taiwan itinerary by many parents. Well, school holidays are coming and there’s nothing better than for the whole family to explore the best of Taiwan. This is a compilation of our Taiwan travelogue in a glance. All you need to do is to click onto the individual blog title and it will direct you to the blog post. Happy sharing and reading 🙂 Continue reading “Itinerary Compilation: Taiwan Travelogue in a Nutshell”→
So, we visited Cijin Island 旗津島 in our last blog and thought that would be our only encounter to get near the seas. In this episode, we surprised ourselves with much more places to sight-seeing. But first, we had to check in to our new hotel.
Kindness Hotel
Kindness Hotel is a chain of hotels in the Kaohsiung city. Ideal for fun and relaxation, Kindness Hotel – Kaohsiung Station Chen Chien is located in the Sanmin District area of Kaohsiung. Before booking this hotel, we were looking for one with cheap rates and good review. Looking at a review of more than 9 in Agoda, it didn’t take us too long to consider booking and here we are.
Kindness hotel is not posh-looking and some parts may look dated. However, we think they made it up with their good customer service.
After a long day of shopping, the hotel’s cafe is where you would like to chill out. If you are the hotel guests, free supper (Taiwanese porridge and usual food items) is included every night.
There is this soya-bean ice cream machine at the lobby. It is all-day free flow for the guests.
This is how our room looks like. Decent and spacious in the most important part – our beds! How much we paid for it? S$158.81 for 1 day.
The beds are soft and fluffy. How can they resist chilling out over here?
The view from our hotel room.
Good morning, everyone! Let’s try out Kindness Hotel breakfast buffet. Earlier on, we mentioned of the good customer service. Yes, the hotel staff would walk around the tables to ask the guests how was the food quality and anything they can improve or assist. We thought it was a very nice touch by the hotel. Thumbs up for them 🙂
Look at the spread. It seemed more than a lunch buffet.
Soya-bean milk
Nice coffee-making machine for the caffaine addicts.
We would call this as our brunch. The hotel is not stingy in the food servings. We were really full by the time we finished our breakfast and that would last us till the late afternoon.
Another plus of Kindness Hotel. One of the beautiful things of visiting Taiwan is the availability of bicycles for guests to rent and explore the city.
Our overall experience at Kindness Hotel was pleasant. The room could be better but what’s more could we ask for when the rate was just S$158? This is inclusive of breakfast and supper buffet as well. The hotel is clean and is the kind of no-frills stay many are looking for. This is Kindness Hotel address if you intend to book it.
Kenting National Park 墾丁國家公園
We booked a cab to bring us to the Kenting National Park 墾丁國家公園 in Pingtung. This trip took up to 4 hours travel on the road. This is so because Kenting is located at the extreme southern tip of Taiwan. It is famous for its beautiful beaches and lush vegetation, and plenty of differents corals. Along the way, we stopped at some rest points for toilet breaks.
Exhausted from the long road ride but the smell of fresh air and being near to sea waters brought great respite for us!
Kenting National Park is a tourist attraction and don’t be surprised to see flocks of visitors here. Low mountains and hilly terraces prevail over much of the land in the park, along with rugged high cliffs and sandy deserts. The swimming beaches with yellow sands and turquoise waters are wonderfully suited to recreation, and sightseeing on a scooter or bicycle is highly enjoyable.
Local shops lined up near the entrance. We had seen the best of Taiwan night markets so there was nothing much to shop here.
How good is this! Near to the sand, near to the beach. Head down to Kenting which boasts some of the most pleasant climate in the country. We don’t get such natural wonders back in Singapore. Treasured every bits of our trip.
The wind was so strong and chilly.
A further walk up will bring you to Maobitou Park. As a result of the movement of the waves on the limestone reef coast, the terrain of this area resembles a crouching cat looking out at the sea. The inshore fishermen of Taiwan used to refer to the prominent cape as a nose (“bi” in Chinese). Therefore, it was named “Mao(cat)-bi(nose)-tou (head)” (Maobitou), meaning “cat’s nose”!
Definitely relaxing to laze on the grass patch
Up next, we are going to get nearer to the waters.
Address: No.32, Ln. 125, Hengnan Rd., Hengchun Township, Kenting
Our driver drove us nearer to the coast.
Where we can get up close to the sea waters. Not a good idea to swim here as the currents were strong. It was winter season and definitely no go into cold water.
One trip but many memorable moments were captured.
Lunch at Kenting
On our way to Eluanbi Park, we stopped by at this restaurant for our lunch.
Ordered the local cuisines. A sumptuous spread of dishes right here.
Eluanbi Park 鵝鑾鼻公園
Eluanbi Park was created in 1982 to provide an appropriate venue for people coming to visit Taiwan’s southernmost point and one of the peninsula’s most notable landmarks, the Eluanbi Lighthouse, also called “The Light of East Asia”. It stands 21.4 meters high and is reputedly the brightest lighthouse in Asia.
The admission tickets cost NT$30 (adults) and NT$15 (children).
However, please note that the park will be closed during typhoons period.
This was the trip that we came to know Taiwanese love dogs so much. Many a times they would bring their furkids out together with them.
Take a stroll in Eluanbi Park. Honestly, it wasn’t that impressive when we entered. If we were to compare with Singapore’s Botanic Garden, it would be far fetch. But wait till we delved deeper into the park and find some really interesting spots.
One of the highlights of travelling overseas is to expect lots and lots of walking. When travelling with little ones, it would be wise to bring along your stroller.
Small M loves this shot very well. It looked so natural.
Visitors can choose to take a trail along the sea to enjoy the sea breeze and view or explore the Eluanbi Lighthouse.
The famous Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻燈塔 right here. Another attraction checked from our list 🙂
The lighthouse was severely damaged on two occasions – during the First Sino-Japanese war in 1894 and allied bombing during the Aerial Battle of Taiwan-Okinawa in 1944.
An exhibition room at the park provides the history of Eluanbi Park.
Eluanbi Lighthouse gives a panoramic and unblocked view of the sea. This place is that serene and tranquil.
This is definitely a place to explore when you are in Kenting.
You should be here too 🙂
Eluanbi Park is open daily from 7 am to 5.30 pm. Hours of operation is extended from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm during the month of April to October.
Address:946, Taiwan, Pingtung County, Hengchun Township, 鵝鑾里鵝鑾路301號
Longpan Park 龙磐公园
Situated in Pingtung County is Longpan Park. With a wide range of grassland, Longpan is lying between Jiae road and the Pacific Ocean, and is a spacious place for visitors to watch the sunrise, sunset, and the stars. As a coral limestone tableland, Longpan is rich in slumping cliffs, caves, and fissures eroded by rainwater.
It was beginning to rain when we arrived.
Small M’s hair was flying in the wind! These were our adventures in Kenting before making a long road journey back to Kaohsiung. We were supposed to go firefly watching but had to give it a miss as all the kiddos were totally knocked out in the car. We wanted the kids to experience this one of these days. You can also watch fireflies in other parts of Taiwan. Click here to find out more.
Catch a video on Longpan Park 龙磐公园 here:
Address：Jia-E highway, Hengchun, Pingdong County
Kai Xuan Night Market 凯旋夜市
If you are taking the MRT to Kai Xuan Night Market, take the subway Red Line to the R6 Stop.
Walk out of Exit 2. Cross the street heading south and turn left. You’ll be at the night markets within 5 minutes. If you don’t want to walk, there is a free shuttle to and from the station to the markets.
We read in the airline magazine that Kai Xuan Night Market is touted as the largest night market in Taiwan. So we were expecting the “Shilin” atmosphere when we reached here but alas, it was a big disappointment.
The place was big but the stalls were few. Not the kind of thriving night markets we visited previously.
We did a bit of shopping and eating and didn’t spend much time here.
We couldn’t resist these buttered grilled prawns.
The highlight of our Taiwan trip is about eating and eating.
Big and Small M favourite flour balls. Is there any of these in Singapore? We have a craving for them.
Liu He Night Market 六合夜市
The Liuhe Night Market is a must visit market if you are in Kaohsiung. It is located in the heart of Kaohsiung and is easy to get to by MRT. To come here, take the MRT Red Line and alight at the R10 stop or Orange Line O5 stop. It is the famous Formosan Blvd. station. Walk to Exit 11 which is the Liuhe Night Market Exit and you will be at the eastern end of the market.
Our eyes lit up when we arrived at Liu He Night Market. It was bustling with activities and visitors were thronging the streets. Do you know that the market open from 5pm to 6am!
We find the local Taiwanese are very appreciative of street arts and performances. They would slow down and be entertained by street buskers. Fancy singing “Country Road”?
The best thing to do here is to try the local cuisine.
Hot from the ovenThis friendly stall owner invited us to try their soft oyster omelette and so we did.
Beef noodles stall.
We ate a lot and now we were craving for desserts.
Slurp down a bowl of warm beancurd in the cold weather. We also met a Singaporean couple visiting Kaohsiung and like us, stayed in the same hotel and travelled by the high speed rail.
This furkid was kind enough to allow us to snap a picture of him with Liu He Night Market in the backdrop.
Liu He Night Market has plenty of spaces for visitors to walk and overall it was a pleasant experience exploring it. If you visit Kaohsiung, never leave without visiting these night markets.
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You would have heard your friends sharing how fun Taipei is when they are back from their travel. Now that you maybe considering whether to visit Kaohsiung and our answer is a big YES. Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second largest metropolitan area and its second city. While it may not be as happening as Taipei city, there are definitely pockets of interesting attractions that promise to mesmerize you. Continue reading “10D9N Taiwan Travelogue – (Part 8): Day 8 @ Kaohsiung 高雄, Cijin Island 旗津島 and Ruifeng Night Market 瑞豐夜市”→
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